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Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Introduced Bill to Give Student-Athletes Full Scholarships and Additional Stipend
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) amended AB 475, which will require public universities in California to award five year scholarships to their student-athletes starting in 2015. Additionally, schools will be required to cover the full cost of attendance and include an additional $3,600 student-athlete participation stipend.
“A year-to-year scholarship does not foster retention and convey that universities have a serious investment in seeing their student-athletes graduate,” said Assemblymember Brown. “Coaches and athletic departments will have to change their approach to recruiting student-athletes.”
The NCAA is responsible for governing an industry that generates over $11 billion annually in revenue. NCAA governs the amount of aid that universities can award each student-athlete and the length of the award. These scholarships do not cover the full cost of attendance to universities in California and require that student athletes sign away their ability to profit from their athletic accomplishments in perpetuity.
AB 475, which is being sponsored by the National College Players Association, will require all scholarships offered by public universities in California to be guaranteed for five years. Additionally, all universities with media and licensing revenues in excess of $20 million would be mandated to cover the full cost of attendance and provide the additional $3,600 stipend.
“It is unconscionable for California to allow a non-profit organization generating billions of dollars in profits to the detriment of college athletes, to dictate the educational policies and practices of our states public universities,” Assemblymember Brown concluded.
AB 475 was assigned to the Assembly Committee on Education.
Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.
Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/.
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